Gwendolyn Faye Slaughter

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.”  John 14: 1-4

Today we celebrate the life of our beloved sister Gwendolyn Faye Slaughter, a loving daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, classmate, and friend.  

On Monday, December 28, 2020, at Memorial Hospital-Beacon Health System in South Bend Indiana,  surrounded by the prayers and love of her family and on facetime with her loving daughter, sister, brother, cousins, and the hospital Chaplain, God whispered softly in her ear, “Well done thy good and faithful servant” as the angels came quietly to take her home.

Gwendolyn Faye Slaughter, affectionately call “Gwen” by her family, close friends, and everyone who knew her was born on Tuesday, December 4, 1962, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to the late Floyd and Julie Slaughter.  She was preceded in death by her loving parents, Floyd and Julie, her stepfather, John Brown, granddaughter, Julia’Ann Slaughter, grandparents, Frank and Violet Allen, and her beautiful great-aunt Susie Mae Weatherspoon.  

At the age of 12, Gwen accepted Christ as her Personal Savior and knew that Christianity did not exempt one from death, but that it ensured triumph over it.  Gwen truly loved the Lord and was confident in her personal relationship with Him, as she rededicated her life to Christ in July of 2017. 
Gwen grew up in a very close-knit family who stood by her through some of the most difficult times in her life.  She was the perfect example of the phrase, “Never Judge A Book By Its Cover” because on the inside you find the true unspoken treasure.  She was kind-hearted, compassionate, independent, loving, unique,  real even when others didn’t understand, extraordinary, happy, strong in the midst of her personal struggles, free-spirited, and most of all, she was loyal to those she truly loved. 

Throughout her life, Gwen had to make choices that others could have never made nor understood, but the love she had for her six beautiful children, although not always in her presence, will forever remain both near and dear to her heart on this earth.  She truly loved her grandbabies, nieces, and nephews and was known for giving them their nicknames with affection and deep thought.  

Gwendolyn Faye Slaughter was formally educated in the Benton Harbor Area Schools and was a proud member of the Benton Harbor High School Class of 1981. 
Gwen had a heart of service and would help anyone in need.  She loved spending time with her family, traveling, as she spent several years of her life living and working in Newport News, Virginia, playing board games, skating at G&W, and in her spare time, she loved doing hair.   

She was a blessed woman, her life path allowed her to gain compassion for others and she never judged anyone because she knew how it felt to be judged.  She was humble and full of wisdom; a blessing to everyone she would meet and was so proud of her little brother and sister and was so happy to see them all together for the last time at the wedding of her beautiful niece. Gwen, we love you and your essence and presence will truly be missed, but we know that we will see you again. 

Gwen leaves to cherish wonderful memories in the hearts of her six amazing children, Artes Kirkland of Grand Rapids, MI, Latoria Slaughter of Benton Harbor, MI, Felicia Slaughter, Melody Willis, and Danielle Willis all of Kalamazoo, MI, and Danny Willis of Las Vegas, Nevada; son-in-law, Terrance Howard; (5) grandchildren, Christian Howard, Madison Slaughter, Julian Slaughter, Ko’Bree Willis, and Taylor Howard; (1) brother, Paul (Avis) Slaughter of Covington, GA; (1) sister, Newlafia (Emmanuel) Norman of Indianapolis, IN; (2) step-sisters, Angela Brown of Hammond, Louisiana and Tracya Brown of Benton Harbor; (4) nephews, Paul (Tashoy) Campbell, Michael Anderson, Cordell Brown and Demetrius Henderson; (6) nieces, Rakeisha (Timothy) Burnett, Paris Henderson, Julia (Marcus) Mason, Paula Slaughter, Dominique Slaughter, Aleighya Slaughter, and Nia Norman; two special friends, Ricky Brown and Danny Willis and a host of aunts, uncles, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, family and friends. 

“In life we have pleasures with our loved ones; we have sorrows and joy but thank God for the memories that death cannot destroy.” 

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